Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services.

Population Distribution

56.7 million

Number of people in the United States in 2010 with a disability. People with disabilities represented 19 percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Persons with a disability have a physical or mental impairment that affects one or more major life activities, such as walking, bathing, dressing, eating, preparing meals, going outside the home, or doing housework. A disability can occur at birth or at any point in a person’s life.

Percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in Pike County, Ky., with a disability ─ the highest rate in the nation among counties with populations of 65,000 or more. Arlington County, Va., at 5 percent, had among the lowest rates.

Percent of the civilian noninstitutionalized population in Lorain, Ohio, with a disability ─ among the highest rates in the nation among places with populations of 65,000 or more. Weston, Fla., at 3 percent, had among the lowest rates.

Number of people 15 and older who required the assistance of others in order to perform one or more basic or instrumental activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, doing housework and preparing meals.

Number of employed people with disabilities earning $100,000 or more annually. This amounts to 4 percent of all people with disabilities who were employed. In comparison, 8 percent of all people without a disability who were employed earned $100,000 or more annually.